Revelation 2:8-11 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things said the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;… I. CHRIST'S CHARGE TO ALL HIS FOLLOWERS. 1. "Be faithful" to your soul, in seeking its prosperity. 2. "Be faithful" to Christ, in Four profession of His name. 3. "Be faithful" to the gospel, in attachment to its doctrines. The gospel is the legacy of Christ to all His followers; dearer to us ought it to be than liberty or life. 4. "Be faithful" to the world, in your interest for its conversion. You are "the salt," to preserve the world from putrefaction; you are the cities which, for unity, beauty, and security, are to be admired as patterns; you are lights, to "shine before men, that they may glorify your Father which is in heaven." 5. "Be thou faithful unto death." This faithfulness is to continue, then, during life; there is to be no cessation. II. THE GLORIOUS REWARD HE GIVES TO ALL WHO OBEY IT. 1. Its nature. This "crown" is to set forth the unspeakable glories of the upper world by objects that are familiar to our senses. Is a crown, for instance, emblematic of royalty? This happiness, then, is to be a residence with the King of kings. He shall rule, and you shall reign. Is a crown symbolic of victory? There we shall be conquerors — "more than conquerors through Him that loved us." Many, like Nelson, conquer, but die in the conflict — do not live to enjoy their conquest; but you are led in triumph to the obtaining of She conquest by your great Master. 2. Its superiority. It is "a crown of life." Four things constitute life — that is, happiness — on earth: health, plenty, friendship, knowledge. These are reserved in perfection for paradise. 3. Its bestowal. It is a gift of grace. Man's merit did not buy this glory. Grace first brings the mind into the way, grace strengthens the soul to persevere, and grace puts the crown of glory upon the head. 4. Its certainty. Every one that cleaves to Him, every one that serves Him, every one that loves Him, shall have this crown. There is no venture here, no speculation here; the virtue of the atonement, the oath of God, the experience of all His children, the dying testimony of those who have passed away to that far better world, all confirm the truth — "Where I am, there shall also My servant be."Conclusion: 1. Since so much depends on faithfulness to Christ, diligently use those means which are sanctified to preserve it. One of the first means to obtain these blessings is, crave Divine keeping. He is well kept whom God keeps, and he only. 2. Preserve intimacy with Jesus Christ. Unfaithfulness commences in absence. 3. And shall I say, avoid the company of Christ's enemies? 4. And choose decided friends of Christ as your companions: not half-hearted persons, that you cannot tell whether there is any religion in or no. (J. Sherman.) Parallel Verses KJV: And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; |
    |